HIM Perspective on Patient Engagement

Submitted By: 2022-2023 Consumer Engagement Committee

What is Patient Engagement?

Patient engagement relates to the patient being informed on their healthcare conditions, and being more involved in the decision making for themselves related to their health. Patient can be more involved by using the tools available to them such as patient portals provided by their healthcare providers. “Patient engagement is a strategy that encourages patients to stay actively engaged in managing their own health and make informed decisions about the same.” (Prasad, 2023).

Patient engagement improves patient outcomes and lower costs of care. With the patient being more involved in their care and in contact with their providers through patient portals these measures can reduce emergency room visits and enhance the patients overall health outcome. Patients should have some input into the health decisions so that their providers are able to include the patient’s desires for their expected outcomes into the decisions that they make for their patients. When a patient is more involved in the decision making of their care the patient will be more apt to follow the recommendations by the provider. This is a big reason why patient engagement is important because a better patient health outcome is the ultimate goal.

“Patient portals have demonstrated benefit by improving adherence to medications and providing patient-provider communication.” “Many healthcare providers design and implement patient portals to increase patient engagement because these tools give patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection.” (Meyer, 2021)

Health Information (HI) Professionals can assist in patient engagement.

“But the change in the way patients consume their health information means today’s HIM professional plays an important role in giving healthcare consumers the tools needed to make all interactions and communications with their providers meaningful and efficient. The HIM professional is an important part of a team of care professionals at an organization that promotes a culture of valuable service to the patient.” (AHIMA, 2016)

HI Professionals have an important role in patient engagement by making sure that patients have the tools needed to ensure their interactions with providers are significant and effective. HI Professionals can ensure that patients are able to access their health information when needed through patient portals, printed copy, and record sharing. HI Professionals can provide patients instructions on how to access their medical records. After patient view these records if they feel there is any inaccuracy in their record, Then, HI professionals will help the patient to seek amendment for the inaccuracy in the record. In addition, the HI professional can be a patient advocate that can work in partnership with clinical staff ensuring accuracy of the information through documentation and proper coding/billing.

 An HI Professional is a vital part of the patient care team. They provide the patient with easy access to their records, helping with use of patient portals, and serving as advocates between the patient and care providers; resulting in a better health outcome for patients.

References                             

AHIMA. (2016, March 10). HIM Professionals Play Vital Role In New Age Of Consumer Engagement. Retrieved from Health IT Outcomes: https://www.healthitoutcomes.com/doc/him-professionals-play-vital-role-in-new-age-of-consumer-engagement-0001

Hahn, C. (2022, November 14). What is Patient Engagement and Why is it Important? 2022 Guide. Retrieved from EasyPractice: https://easypractice.net/patient-engagement-2022/

Meyer, H. (2021, December 8). Patient Portals: A Valuable Tool For Improving Patient Engagement. Retrieved from providertech: https://www.providertech.com/patient-portals-tool-for-improving-patient-engagement/

Prasad, A. (2023, April 9). Patient Engagement. Retrieved from RevenueXL Accelerating Healthcare Revenues: https://www.revenuexl.com/resources/patient-engagement